Stocksbridge firsts in disappointing defeat as second string maintain perfect start

De La Salle 112 all out (38.4 overs) Liam Grayson 3-14, Joe Hibbert 3-24 Stocksbridge 96 all out (32.3 overs) Liam Grayson 31, Dave Smith 27

WITH Stocksbridge’s first XI starting off the season with back to back away games, they made the trip across town once again, this time looking to build on last weeks victory as they locked horns with De La Salle.

Liam Grayson in action

Photo Credit: The Yorkshire Rose Photography

The game looked to be going to plan for Stocksbridge, captain Andy Hibbert won the toss and elected to field and the De La Salle batters faced early pressure. Opener bowler was first into the action remove both opening batters, thanks to catches from Jack Newton and an excellent grab from Jack Lyons. Stocksbridge were now on top and the change bowlers looked to give De La Salle no let off. Jake Vickers was first into the attack and he quickly picked up his first wicket of the day. Liam Grayson came on at the other end and bowled excellently to rip through the middle order, Grayson ended with very good figures of 3-14 off 7 overs. Chris Pickford was brought into the attack and helped himself to a wicket, as well as also claiming a run out. Jack Newton also bowled well however didnt manage to take a wicket but also managed a run out. It was Joe Hibbert though who returned to the attack to pick up the final wicket as De La Salle were bowled out for 112. Quick mention for Dave Smith behind the stumps, who kept very well taking a catch, playing his part in two run outs and not conceding a single bye.

At the halfway point Stocksbridge knew they were in the driving seat however they knew they had to bat properly and professionally to get my a tricky low total. Unfortunately, the run chase most certainly didn’t go to plan. Matt Price edged behind from the first ball on the innings and the innings went all down hill from then. In the blink of eye, Stocksbridge found themselves in huge trouble at 38-6 with only 2 of the top 6 managing to make double figures. With Stocksbridge staring down the barrel of defeat, Liam Grayson and Dave Smith were together at the crease and the pair batted valiantly to give Stocksbridge a fighting chance. Just as Stocksbridge looking to be moving towards an unlikely victory, Grayson edged behind for 31 and the De La Salle spirits were lifted once again. The lower order offered little support to Smith who was eventually the last man to go for a resilent 27 and Stocksbridge were bowled out for a miserly 96. This meant Stocksbridge fell 16 runs short of De La Salle’s total and slumped to a disappointing defeat despite the best efforts with the ball and the Grayson-Smith partnership with the bat.

Stocksbridge 189 all out (39.3 overs) Ant Siddall 40, Elliott Freeman 38, Jack Reevez 27 Coal Aston 104-7 (40 overs) Paul Hargreaves 3-18, Will Cavanagh 2-26, Jack Reeves 2-34

Next weekend sees both our sides in action again. The first XI welcome Parkhead to Bracken Moor with the second XI making the trip to Birkdale to take on Hallam.